Popcorn Sutton
Popcorn Sutton | |
|---|---|
| Born | Marvin Sutton October 5, 1946 |
| Died | March 16, 2009 (aged 62) Parrottsville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Moonshiner, bootlegger |
| Notable work | Popcorn Sutton's Tennessee White Whiskey |
| Spouse | Pamela Sutton |
| Children | 1 |
Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton (October 5, 1946 – March 16, 2009) was an American Appalachian moonshiner and bootlegger. Born in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, he grew up, lived and died in the rural areas around Maggie Valley and nearby Cocke County, Tennessee. He wrote a self-published autobiographical guide to moonshining production, self-produced a home video depicting his moonshining activities, was the subject of several documentaries, including one that received a Regional Emmy Award, and is the subject of the award-winning biography and photobook The Moonshiner Popcorn Sutton.
Sutton committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning in March 2009, aged 62, rather than report to federal prison after being convicted of offenses related to moonshining and illegal firearm possession. Since his death, a new company and associated whiskey brand have been named after him.